Accident cause: Suspension problem?

[NicoSommer]

I have a 2,5 month young 3.500 miles driven 2005 S2000. Besides the known 2nd gear problem I was nothing but happy. Since Saturday night I'm happy being still alive.
On my way home on a empty freeway (rare condition in Southern California) my live was challenged without any warning.
A short sharp metallic bang and the S2000 were almost completely out of control at 68mi/h and were spinning several 360s. Finally I ended up in the soft bank in a huge cloud of dust after passing luckily the unforgiving concrete of a bridge.
The good news first: I was able to keep the car more or less on the road and the S2000 seem to be flipping over resistant.
The scary bad news: The right rear upper A-frame was broken off the Hub (the cause). The suspension is after this wild ride heavily damaged - I?m looking at ~ $10.000 repair.
Honda USA reacted insulting and of cause declined any responsibility.
I?m from Germany ? use to drive fast but responsible and without accident for over 30 years ? live now in California for 8 years (means I know the roads) and with 52 certainly not a silly punk.
At Honda USA they play the ?Blame the customer? game and I?m seeking for help and information. Any similar events out there??


PS. I checked the freeway on the next day at daylight for unusual road condition and was unable to blame the incident on CalTrans.

[Halo]

A-frame? Do you mean A-Arm?

That is held to the hub by a single bolt, right? So, the bolt broke? This is a new one to me. However, unless you modified the suspension, I cannot imagine how this could be driver abuse.

I'd head over to www.s2ki.com and post this up in the technical forum to see if anybody has further ideas. Next, I would strongly consider hiring a lawyer. In order to get Honda to move on this, they will need some legal pressure, leave that to the professionals.

[NicoSommer]

Originally Posted by Halo

A-frame? Do you mean A-Arm?

That is held to the hub by a single bolt, right? So, the bolt broke? This is a new one to me. However, unless you modified the suspension, I cannot imagine how this could be driver abuse.

I'd head over to www.s2ki.com and post this up in the technical forum to see if anybody has further ideas. Next, I would strongly consider hiring a lawyer. In order to get Honda to move on this, they will need some legal pressure, leave that to the professionals.

Some say a-arm some (more in Europe) a-frame ... I'm driving an unmodified S2000. Just came back from the work shop and the surface of the broken a-arm is at the crack 2/3 shiny 1/3 is dark gray - what does that tell you?

Thanks for your advise anyways.

[Java Junky]

Hi Nico;
Glad that you didn't join the car in sustaining damage. That ride must've gotten your attention.
This is totally after the fact, but, it appears that you've owned the car since new, but, you didn't actually come out n' say that. Are you the only owner of the car? No previous owners, or perhaps a low-mileage demo that the dealership used?
I ask because I'm wonderin' if perhaps somebody before you didn't do a little "unintentional off-roadin'" with the car n' then jus' handed you the title n' keys without makin' you aware of it's history.
Other than my question, I haven't got anything else to add to what Halo suggested. Well, maybe jus' another verse of I'm glad you're okay.
Be well.

[NicoSommer]

I did buy the S2000 brand new (30 demo miles).

I was hoping there is somewhere a accident database on the Internet so it would be possible to find a pattern.

I find this disturbing that this is kept secret and that puts you in the position David v. Goliath

Funny enough, the GM of the Dealership told me yesterday (with the "you idiot driver" look in his eyes: Oh well, we see this kind of damages almost every week .... (?!)

Yesterday I was seeing 3 other S2000 in repair/service by of cause not knowing specifics on the other cars and it is a rather large dealership - by the way a good one - I have purchased my 4th Honda there in September.

Audi in Germany held the design problem with TTS secret until the accidents became so massive, some of it fatal and then Audi couldn?t keep it secret anymore. Of cause, also some "rich" owners had the money to fight the David v. Goliath battle.

Thanks, you are right, I'm physically, besides a bad neck pain, ok and this is most important

[MattG]

Where is the car now? Did police attend the scene?
Have you contacted your insurance company?

[CarbonCS]

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:03 am Post subject: SHHHH!! SECRET (but not)

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You didn't hear it from me but you have a very good chance of getting this covered under warranty depending on what happened of course.
Ever hear "The squeakiest gears get the most grease"? It's a term the Customer Relations people like to say (internally of course,never to a customer). In anycase it means the more noise you make to Honda the better chance you have of them fixing the vehicle! First call customer Relations. and explain the situation. They should open a case and try to get back to you within a 72 hour period after they contact the dealers in the area for info on your car.... blah blah blah. to make a story short.. Honda MUST Warranty all Manufactor's defects. The only reason they won't pay is if they can prove that it was caused by an outside source. Example: you hit somthing.. you installed aftermarket parts.. etc...
If it was not caused by an outside sourece they MUST fix the car. just keep pressing the matter. they will go as far to send a Factory Engineer out to inspect your vehicle. But Beware! I have seen them void warrantys on cars for things as small as aftermarket air intakes, Alarm systems that in anyway interact with the ECU. and even as little as using an aftermarket oil filter... Just keep pressing the matter with honda and they should take care of it. Although $10,000 seems a little high? not sure how much damage actually occured? might be easier just to go through your insurance?
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[MattG]

Warranty will not cover medical costs for possible whiplash

[Java Junky]

Hey Nico, how's the neck?
'Jus' wonderin' if you've been able to get any sort of satisfaction from Honda with your problem, or at least, any positive attention.
'Hope that any pain from the incident's only a memory. 'Also hope that you're makin' progress with Honda, but, I'll be realistic n' settle for any pain bein' history.
(Oh, n' Nico . . I gotta tell ya . . that assessment of the part after gettin' it back. Impressive. Somethin' tells me you're not jus' a driver)
Do you have the repaired vehicle back in your possession? It may not change anything, but at least, if you do, you can go out, put the top down n' enjoy. A hair'a the dog, therapy . . whatever.
Have a safe n' Merry Christmas n' be well.

[NicoSommer]

Thanks you all - I need a break. I'll be in Canada for the holidays and will report to you early in January.
My S2000 will not be ready to go before the 1st weekt in 2006. The broken parts are in my possession and will be taken to a specialist in January.

Happy Holidays to all of you!